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The Chatham Arts Council nurtures creative thinkers in Chatham County.
That’s the short version. But other folks do that, too. Here’s what makes us unique:
We’re the ones who put our arms around the artists and the kids of Chatham County.
Yep. We’ve focused in on doing two things and doing them really well:
We launched this new identity for the Chatham Arts Council in November 2014, a crazy exciting leap after a full two years of internal work and outreach in the community.
Chatham County is home to an astonishing number of artists and arts appreciators, and we’re looking forward to being the arts council this county deserves.
We value artists who paint, perform, draw, dance, act, cook, sculpt, write, sew, film, play, sing, and record.
We value professional artists, emerging artists, artists-in-secret, aspiring artists, and young artists-to-be.
You can check out We Invest in Artists and We Educate Kids through Arts to see more particulars about the whys behind our two focus areas.
Just as important as the Why is the How. And our Board and Staff are committed to doing this work in the following ways:
Chris is a full-time arts patron and sometimes writer/performer, having worked with many theatre companies in the area. His meeting notes often take the shape of page-long doodles.
What do you do with your days? Wrangle human resources policies and employee relations issues for the UNC System .

Give

Meet This Artist: The Plant's Tami Schwerin and Arlo Estill

Push. Pull. Leap. Fly: Black Box Dance Theatre at Siler City Elementary

Meet This Artist: Performing Artist Koialina Gray

Announcing the 2026-2027 Artists-in-Schools Season

Meet This Artist: Mixed-Media Artist Paget Marion Blythe

ClydeFEST Sponsor Benefits

Meet This Artist: Muralists Stacye Leanza and Thomas Begley

Meet This Artist: Theater Artist Derrick Ivey

Artists-in-Schools 2025–2026: A Year Filled with Rhythm, Stories, Movement, and Magic

Meet This Artist: Painter and Potter Charline Jimenez Rojo

CHERYL CHAMBLEEE

AMANDA MORAN

DAVID O’DELL

HEATHER O’SHAUGHNESSY

LYSANDRA WEBER

JODY CEDZIDLO

Koialina Gray

What if talking about death could help us live more fully? For @tamischwerin and @arloestill, that question has become the heart of something pretty extraordinary. After experiencing the loss of Arlo’s brother and Tami’s son, Zafer, they helped create Death Faire—a community gathering that makes space for grief, creativity, connection, and conversations we don’t always know how to have. Death Faire is happening today (Saturday, Nov 7 from 11-5pm @theplantnc. In our latest Meet This Artist feature, guest writer Corbie Hill sits down with Tami and Arlo to talk about turning loss into community, the role of art in healing, and why being more conscious of death might help us hold the people we love a little closer. Their story is honest, moving, and full of unexpected wisdom. It’s also a reminder of the incredible creative spirit right here in Chatham County. Meet Arlo Estill and Tami Schwerin. Read their story on our website (link in bio). Our Meet this Artist features are made possible with support from the team at VRC, Ltd. Photo 1: Arlo Estill and Tami Schwerin. Photo courtesy of The Plant. Photo 2: Death Faire 2016. Photo courtesy of The Plant. Photo 3: Left to right: Arlo Estill, Lyle Estill, and Tami Schwerin. Photo courtesy of The Plant.

From happy memories to changing friendships, poetry gave @mbpollardms students a way to share what was on their hearts and minds during last week’s Artists-in-Schools residency with poet Phillip Shabazz. At the poetry slam, students stepped up to the mic and shared a little piece of themselves: “It’s been a while, then I smile.” “When did makeup and boys become more important than games and toys.” Even Phillip Shabazz took the stage, reciting a moving poem about his sister—“I always find a window where the sun remembers your face.” In a few short days, Shabazz and Pollard seventh grade students created a room full of stories, emotion, and the kind of bravery that happens when we create space for one another. Because poetry isn’t just about finding the right words. It’s about having the courage to share them. A special thank you to our sponsor, Women of Fearrington, without whom this residency would not be possible. If you want to read the full residency wrap article, join our email list (at the link in bio) to be the first to know! Photo credit: Chatham Arts Council #artistsinschools #chathamcountync #chathamartscouncil #chathamcountyschools #phillipshabazz @chathamcountyschools

Storytelling through folkloric dance. Practicing rhythm, counting, and Spanish. Learning the historic origins of a multicultural art form. All this and more is what @flamencovivo brought to @bennettelemschool and Bonlee School in this year’s Artists-in-Schools residency this week. First the students got to experience a live flamenco performance with singing, traditional guitar and dance. Then in workshops they learned how to sing, create the rhythm, and dance basic flamenco steps. The best part? Students’ questions: “Where are you from and how many different dances do you do?” “Where have you performed?” Hint: all over the world! “What’s your favorite [dance] mood?” “Do the guys ever dance?” And yes, they do! Fun fact, in traditional flamenco performances, the guitarist putting their instrument down and dancing at the end of the show is highlight! And we wouldn’t be able to bring these amazing experiences to Chatham County students without our amazing sponsors, Lily McCoy Voller Stargazer Fund (Bonlee) and Miki Adams (Bennett). Thank you so much for your support! If this post made you smile, consider joining our email list at the link in bio to be the first to read the full recap article when it’s out! Video credit: Chatham Arts Council #chathamartscouncil #chathamcountync #chathamcountyschoolsnc #artistsinschools @chathamcountyschools

Jazz hands? More like jazz horns, bass lines, and a whole lot of Happy! @johnbrownjazz brought the jazz to @nhschargers and @seaforth_hs last week, giving students a closer look (and listen) to the instruments that make a jazz band swing. They even taught students how to show some love for the soloists after each solo. The students enjoyed it so much that they gave the band a standing ovation. Now that’s how you end a show! Big thanks to John Brown’s Little Big Band for bringing the music, the fun, the musical education, and a sprinkle of jazz magic to our Chatham County students. And we are always grateful to our generous sponsors, without whom we would not be able to bring professional working artists into classrooms across Chatham County. Thank you Harrrison Family Trust (Northwood) and @gloriaweissman, in memory of Vivan Brown (Seaforth) for your support. Video credit: @chathamartscouncil #chathamartscouncil #artistsinschools #johnbrownbigband @chathamcountyschools

Got a place in Chatham that won’t leave your mind? Share it with us through this year’s JumpstART Commissions (performing, visual or literary arts)! THE THEME For Local Ground: The Places of Chatham We invite you to choose a place in Chatham County and let it be the muse for your work. It could be a familiar landmark, an overlooked corner, a gathering spot, a road, a building, a body of water, a patch of woods—or even a place that has changed or disappeared. We want to know what gives that place meaning: the people and stories that shaped it, how it makes people feel, and what it reveals about Chatham County’s past, present, or future. JumpstART commissions performing, visual, and literary artists to create small- to medium-sized projects and share them with the public. A few things to know: - You must live in Chatham County, NC. - Individuals and collaborative groups can apply. At least one member of a collaborative group must live in Chatham County. - Students can apply with parent or caregiver permission. - Past JumpstART artists can apply again. - There’s no financial-need requirement this year. KEY DATES: October 4, 2026 — Proposals open November 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. — Deadline December 15, 2026 — Awards announced April 25, 2027 — JumpstART Walkabout at ClydeFEST Selected artists must be available for the full ClydeFEST event, including set-up at 11 a.m., the event from noon–4 p.m., and breakdown at 4 p.m. So, what place in Chatham has a story to tell? Read the full call for proposals and apply at the link in our bio. Photo credit: @andreaakin Photo 1: @mande.music Photo 2: Artist @robinhallwrites Photo 3: Artist @tanjalipinskicoleartist, featuring Pam Smith Photo 4: Artist @eander71 featuring Mary Nettles #JumpstART #ChathamArts #ChathamCountyNC

It’s pretty special to see all those individual indigo squares come together. After months of community dyeing, stitching, sewing, and gathering, The Community Indigo Quilt is now hanging at the Chatham County Arts Center (@chathamcoparksandrecreation) At the heart of this community project was a simple idea: bring people together around a plant that has connected communities across continents and thousands of years. We gathered neighbors on a farm to dye their squares and brought community quilters together at the Arts Center to piece the quilt top. Many hands. Many squares. Many stories. One blue. We’re so grateful to everyone who helped make this project. You can see a list of all the contributors on display with the quilt. Now it’s your turn to come see what Chatham made together. The Community Indigo Quilt is on view at the Arts Center now through mid-November. Stop by and take a look. This Community Indigo Project was independently conceived and led by a local community engagement facilitator, with partial funding provided through the Chatham Arts Council’s Creative Placemaking Initiative, supported by Chatham County. #communityquilt #chathamcountync #pittsboronc #chathamcountyartscenter #chathamartscouncil

Our first week back with the Artists-in-Schools Initiative has been a phenomenal one with our friends from @blackboxdance at @scebulldogs ! Students faces lit up when fan favorite, Alfredo, stepped out with an introduction to a new piece in Spanish. Paying tribute to Latin cultures, the students laughed, clapped, and joyfully cheered for the dancers. They even got a mini-chemistry lesson…through dance! With dancers acting out the interplay between protons, neutrons and electrons, the students got an artistic and visual demonstration aligned with curriculum standards. And that’s what makes Artists-in-Schools so special! Not only do students get to watch and work with professional teaching artists, they get to learn about typical subjects in an atypical way, piquing their interest and asking them to step outside the norm through art. And a big thank you to our sponsor, Amador Foundation, for supporting this amazing work! Your partnership helps make Artists-in-Schools possible. #chathamartscouncil #artistsinschools #chathamcountync #chathamcountyschools

Arts in Education doesn’t happen on it’s own. In addition to teachers, artists, students and families, our sponsors’ generous support allows us to bring the Artist-in-Schools Initiative to all 20 Chatham County District Schools each year. Their belief in our programs, commitment to the kids in our community, and understanding that the Arts positively impact the lives of families throughout Chatham County are what make this work possible. Thank you, sponsors, for investing in Arts in Education! Photo: AiS Sponsors Mayme Boyd and Kristi Kerins #ArtsEdWeek #ArtsAdvocacy #ArtsEducation

FARM TO STORY - the documentary film and photo exhibit celebrating farmers of Chatham County and brought to you by @ebzbproductions and @andreaakin will be available again at North Carolina’s Chatham County Fair September 17-21, 2026. If you missed the viewings earlier this spring or want to enjoy it again, stop by and take a look! Created by EbzB Productions in partnership with residents of western Chatham County, NC. Commissioned by the Chatham Arts Council. Photos: @andreaakin @farmtostory #farmtostory #chathamcountyfair #ebzbproductions

Read along for an artist experience on the impact of our Artists-in-Schools Initiative in honor of Arts in Education Week by Mike Wiley: “He got up there to read and I said, {student} I want you to read louder, I’m gonna need you to project. And he proceeded to do it the same way. I said I want you to hit the back wall with your voice. And he proceeded to do it the same way. So I walked up there and I looked back at his teacher and she kind of shrugged as if to say ‘this is who he is’. And I said ok [student] we’re going to work on this, ok? And he said, I just don’t speak loud. I said, ok [student] I want you to take everything that’s in here (referring to his chest) and I want you to put it out there. I don’t want you to let it go backwards, I want you to let it go forwards and to push it out, and to push it out loud like you’re on the playground. And he said ok, and then he said “MY NAME IS [STUDENT]” and he continued and the class just cheered because apparently he had never spoke this loud before! I looked back at his teacher and she was in tears. And [student] proceeded to be not only be the loudest but the funniest. When he finished I said [student] are you a comedian? And he said No, and I said well you should be and you should always live with this voice. Afterwards the teacher came up to me and said I have never heard him speak this way and I can’t wait to tell his mother because I think she’ll be in tears too. That’s the important work that we do. Chatham Arts Council and Mike Wiley Productions. This is what we do. Thanks for the opportunity to make me able to do this work.” - @mikewileyproductions This is what Arts in Education is all about. Pulling students out of their comfort zone and showing them, through art, a new way of being. This is what we do. \#ArtsEdWeek #ArtsAdvocacy #ArtsEducation

Did you know this week is National Arts in Education Week? And that Arts in education drives student success across every measure: - Academic Achievement: Higher test scores and graduation rates - Workforce Readiness: Building the creativity and collaboration skills that 72% of business leaders say are essential - Student Wellness: Providing emotional outlets and supportive communities - Equity: Ensuring all students can access transformative learning experiences (Source: Americans for the Arts) This week we are celebrating all the folks who make Arts in Education possible in our community, and today its our teachers. Through our Artists-in-Schools Initiative, we work with teachers across Chatham County to bring professional teaching artists into their classrooms to work directly with their students. Teachers are the glue that holds those classrooms together. They get to witness the shift in their students as they engage in arts they may never have experienced before. Their eyes light up, and teachers see the possibility as much as the students. It takes us all working together to make Arts in Education possible. Thank you Teachers! #ArtsEdWeek #ArtsAdvocacy #ArtsinEducation

Meet Koialina Gray (AKA Makayla Graybeal), a homegrown Chatham creative with a background that spans music, theater, and dance. She is currently working as puppeteer and narrator for “The Wild Wisdom of the World” by @paperhandpuppet, currently running at Chapel Hill’s Forest Theater. In this conversation (listen to the full audio on our website), we connect with Koialina about everything from her experience as a young artistic person growing up in Chatham County, to her current work performing with Paper Hand Puppet Intervention, to what’s next. “I also have never done what I’m doing now. So it kind of tapped into something new, which I really love. And it was a little bit more of a challenge. I love memorizing lines. I love looking out into an audience and getting to see their face as they receive the words I’m speaking. Yeah, what I’m talking about also is something I’m very passionate about and it’s so easy when it feels true to you and I get to kind of make it my own.” So, take a look–or in this case, have a listen—and meet your very inspiring neighbor. https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/meet-this-artist-koialina-gray/ Heather O’Shaughnessy interviews Koialina Gray. The Chatham Arts Council is investing in artists through our Meet This Artist series, introducing you to Chatham County’s creative community one interview at a time. This Meet This Artist feature is made possible with support from VRC, Ltd.

Need something creative to do this September? We’ve got ideas! From musicals to a fiddlers’ convention, art show openings to a happy hour for artists and creatives…there’s plenty happening around Chatham! These are just a few of the events posted to our Community Arts Calendar by local organizations and arts groups. Head to the calendar on our website for all the details—and while you’re there, see what else is coming up. Go make some artsy plans this month! https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/calendar/ And if you’re hosting an arts-focused event be sure to list it on our calendar so we can help spread the word!

🎉 Guess who’s going back to school? Actually…a whole lot of incredible professional artists. For the second year in a row, the Chatham Arts Council is bringing professional artists to all 20 Chatham County district schools through our Artists-in-Schools Initiative. And this year’s lineup is going to be a lot of fun: 🎷 Jazz 💃 Flamenco 📝 Poetry 🎭 Theater 🥁 African drumming + kora 🎧 Beatmaking 🎶 Bilingual music 🎼 Lyric + music writing …and more! Over the course of the school year, students will write, dance, drum, make music, perform, ask questions, and work alongside some seriously talented professional artists. Because creativity doesn’t just happen in art class. It helps students think differently, solve problems, communicate, and imagine what’s possible—and that’s why we’re proud to nurture creative thinkers in classrooms across Chatham County. 20 schools. Incredible artists. One very creative county. Let’s go, Chatham! 🎨✨ Learn more about this year’s Artists-in-Schools season at the link in our bio or https://www.chathamartscouncil.org/announcing-the-2026-2027-artists-in-schools-season/

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